The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-10-21
Cardinal Gibbons to PowderIy.

The following is the letter addressed
hy Cardinal Gibbons 20 Grand Master
Workman POwGerly, 10 which we brief
ly referred 'ast week
BALTIMORE. MD, Sept. p. 1857.
Ny DEAR SIR-NOuI letter was re
ceived yesterday informing me that the
next convention of the knights OF Labor
will be held at Minneapolis On the 5th
prON. When absent from America | did
not hesitate To advocate the Just rights
of the laboIing classes and to point out
wrongs under which they were suffering
Now that ! am again az home. NAV be
permitted to speak in a friendly spirit
OF the duties and responsibilities which
they owe to themselves, to their country
and 10 society. / entertain the hone
that good cOunsels will prevail IN YOUR
deliberations and that a calm. conserva-
tive spirit will control all your proceed
ings. IL is self evident that there
should be no conflict between capital
and labor, since both are necessary for
the common veal and one cannot sub
sist without the other, and therefore no
measures should be cOuEtenanced which
do not provide for The protection Of
both. Experience has proved that
strikes are questionable remedy for the
ANN-ANsS Va E'uA Et4Ch dAANCC. 4ltN para
ly Ze industry they fOmeut fierce pass
ions, and lead TO the destruction OF
property. and, above all, they result in
;nfiic,ing serious injury on the laborer
himself, by keeping him IN enforced
idleness, during which his smind is cloud
ed with discomfort while bTnOdinE over
his situation, and his family not irFre-
qusEtly suffers from the want of even
the EecessaTies OF life. Strikes, there
fore, should be rarely if ever resorted to.
BDycOttiuC, as far as l understand Its
methods, lnfrlnges on the Just rights of
others, and will therefore never meet
with approval from an observing public.
Remember that the ewes Of your country
men are upon yOu, and that they will
watch your proceedings with the deep
est interest. As lawabidinu and in
dustTIOus body, seeking to improve YOUR
condition. yOu owe IL TO yourselves and
- the good name of your order TO set
your face against Anarchists. Nihilists
and other dangerous associations which
are guilty of the base ingratitude OF at
tempting 10 undermine the government
.hat protects them. and the temple of
the Constitution that shelters them.
Do not permit your reputation TO be
tainted by any morbid sympathy for
AAlc u Nl4o nave no SUBSTANTIAL grievance
10 redress, and who strive to make their
cause respectable by obtaining the con-
nivance. If not the sanction, of your
powerful organization. But. for nv
part, have no fear that they VII suc-
ceed in infusing the leaven OF their poi
son into the ranks of the honest sons of
toll. For what concern hath Christ
with Belial, or what participation
hath justice with injustice, or what fel-
lowship hath light with darkness?
My only motive in venturing to offer
these suggestions is my sincere affection
for the labOring class. whose sterling
virtues | admire ; my sense of the dig
nifty of their calling ami of their influ-
erce on the future Well being of our
country as we'll as my ardent desire for
their material ana moral elevation.
May God grant that your deliberations
may be marked by wisdom and discre-
tion and spirit OF true patriotism
which, while seeking to advance your
temporal interests. will merit the ap-
proyal of heaven as well as of your fel-
low citizens.
Permit me in conclusion TO express
my appreciation of the successful efforts
you have personally made in fulfilling
fbe delicate and aIduous duties which
have developed upon you as President